Bulls enrolled on the 4th North Carolina Forage Bull Test were weighed on July 16, 1996 for the 196-day weights. As you recall Junior bulls were moved onto millet grazing just before the last weigh day. They were on millet for this period and will remain on it through the next period. They gained very little during the last period, but compensated during this period by gaining 4.61 lb/day giving them an overall ADG of 2.73. Seniors are continuing to graze coastal bermudagrass and will through the next period. Their gains remained pretty steady at 2.82 lbs/day for an overall average of 2.99 for 196 days of the test.
Lot No. 5 in the Senior group has been given two injections of wart vaccine to treat for a penile papilloma. Health of the bulls has been excellent. They are in absolutely superb condition and look great. David Nordin has done an outstanding job of managing the forages and caring for the bulls. If you have not been to the station, let me again encourage you to get by the station and see an excellent example of managed grazing. Call Bundy (910/592-7161) to arrange a visit.
Let me remind you that the bulls will finish test on August 13 and 14. As stated in the Rules and Regulations, the criteria for bulls to sell are a minimum daily gain ratio of 85, weight per day of age ratio of 90, and adjusted yearling weight ratio of 90. If your bull(s) has an ADG ratio or WDA ratio more than two points below these minimums on the attached report, they may not qualify for sale. Also, they must pass a reproductive soundness exam and pass a screening committee evaluation. We will notify you soon after the final weighing of which bulls do not qualify. We plan to take those animals to slaughter or, if you wish to take them home, we will take them to the sale arena and hold them there for a week during which you may pick them up. Details will be included with the final report.
Also, as we approach the end of the test, you need to be sure that you have supplied us with all the information on your bull(s) including current EPD's. According to our records, we need pedigree or other information (you will notice the missing information on the reports from the newsletter) on the following lots in Seniors: 16, 23, 24, and 28; Juniors: 50 , 85, 89, and 100.